In a move that should be shocking to no one, even the undead, AMC Networks said it has renewed the No. 1 show on television, The Walking Dead, for a seventh season, giving a similar nod to after-show talker Talking Dead.
The Walking Dead has been tops with adults ages 18-49 for the past three years. Talking Dead, hosted by Chris Hardwick, ranks in the top 10 across all television among adults 18-49, with new episodes to follow The Walking Dead.
The zombie apocalypse series continues to draw record audiences: its Oct. 25 episode delivered 18.2 million viewers, 12 million adults 18-49 and 11.5 million adults 25-54 in live+3 ratings, which include three days of time-shifted viewing, each category growing compared to last season’s corresponding episode.
Last Sunday’s Talking Dead was its highest-rated episode ever that was not a season premiere or a finale, delivering 7.3 million viewers, 4.6 million adults 18-49 and 4.7 million adults 25-54 in live+3.
“We are so proud to share these shows with fans who have been so passionate, communicative and engaged, said AMC, SundanceTV and AMC Studios president Charlie Collier in a statement. “We are grateful for and continually impressed by the talent, effort and excellence on continuous display by Robert Kirkman, Scott Gimple, Chris Hardwick and the many people with whom we partner to make these unique shows possible. The result: More Walking and Talking. Hooray.”
Key Nielsen Highlights for October 25th Episode #603 of “The Walking Dead” (Live+3)
- 18.2 million viewers, up 39% from live/same day (an increase of 5.1 million viewers)
- 12.0 million adults 18-49 (national rating of 9.5), up 42% from live/same day (an increase of 3.5 million adults 18-49)
- 11.5 million adults 25-54, up 41% from live/same day (an increase of 3.3 million adults 25-54)
Key Nielsen Highlights for October 25th Episode of “Talking Dead” (Live+3)
- 7.3 million viewers, up 18% from live/same day (an increase of 1.1 million viewers)
- 4.6 million adults 18-49 (national rating of 3.6), up 17% from live/same day (an increase of 673,000 adults 18-49)
- 4.7 million adults 25-54, up 18% from live/same day (an increase of 699,000 adults 25-54)
For season seven, Scott M. Gimple will return as the series’ showrunner and executive producer, along with executive producers Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert, Greg Nicotero and Tom Luse.
